SEAT Ateca Review 2024

The SEAT Ateca is the Spanish brand's first attempt at an SUV. Launched back in 2016, it was very lightly updated in 2020, meaning it's one of the oldest models in the hotly competitive family SUV class. It shares much with the Skoda Karoq, which is fairly obvious to see if you park them side-by-side. Read our SEAT Ateca review to find out all you need to know.

The most important of many rivals for the SEAT Ateca are the Nissan Qashqai, the Kia Sportage, the Hyundai Tucson and the Ford Kuga, though there are many more offerings, some with premium badges. 

Key to the Ateca's enduring appeal in the face of newer rivals is its driving experience. Even years on from launch you'd be hard-pushed to find a better handling SUV of this size, because the Ateca feels keen and agile in the bends whichever model you go for. The trade off is a firm ride that smooths out at speed. 

Even if you're not driving like your hair's on fire, you'll find the SEAT Ateca easy to drive and refined on the move. Visibility is very good, while it feels very much like a taller Leon (which it basically is). 

There's also a range of excellent engines, ranging from a 1.0-litre three cylinder that punches above its weight, to a punchy and economical 2.0-litre diesel. There's no real weak link in the engine lineup, although the higher powered petrols are fitted with a DSG transmission that is a bit dim-witted if you want to pull away quickly. The lack of a hybrid option also shows the Ateca up as an older model now. 

The low-to-mid level SE Technology is the best choice if you want plenty of equipment without breaking the bank as it comes with dual-zone climate control, an eight-inch touchscreen sat-nav, 18-inch alloys and wireless phone charging.

But whichever version you go for, you get a spacious and practical interior that'll stand up well to the rigours of family life thanks to solid build quality. Yes, the design is starting to show its age, particularly around newer offerings such as the Tucson and Sportage, but the simple dashboard design means everything is easy to use. 

We lived with a Ateca for six months - find out how we got on with it in our SEAT Ateca long term test. Looking for a second opinion? Why not read heycar's SEAT Ateca review. 

The amount of space inside the Ateca is still very competitive several years on from its launch. It doesn't look that big a car from the outside but there's lots of room inside, especially in the back. It means that if you have toddlers in car seats, you won't have to endure the back of your seat being kicked for a two hour journey. The rear doors open nice and wide and there's lots of head room, handy if you've got growing teenagers. 

There is a high central tunnel which impedes comfort in the middle seats, however, while it's a shame there's no seatback tables and the option of three individual rear seats like there is in the Karoq. Overall, the Karoq is no roomier but has more practical touches. 

The Ateca's boot isn't the largest in its class any more at 510 litres of outright capacity with the seats up, dropping to 485-litres with four-wheel drive. But it's a usefully square shape with a wide tailgate opening. It's a pity there's no variable boot floor to reduce the load lip and allow underfloor storage, while the seats only split 60/40. But there are handy levers to fold the seats easily from the back at least. 

The Ateca has a well finished interior with a nice solid thud to the doors and very little noise on the move, either from the engine or the road. SEAT has clearly worked on refinement with good sound insulation and there's minimal wind noise too - something which can often blight a car this size.

However, there are some harder plastics to be found around the place to remind you this is a cheaper model than a Volkswagen Tiguan. It is a bit dark and drab, something the facelift didn't do much to change. 

For the Ateca's facelift the standard infotainment offerings were upgraded to the same systems found in the newer Leon. This means SE models get an 8.25-inch media touchscreen, with every other model getting a 9.2-inch system with sat-nav. 

Because the Ateca's dashboard is an older design than the Leon's, the system is embedded in the centre console rather than being placed on top of the dash, which is a neater appearance but does mean it's not quite in your line of sight while driving. Having said that, we do like that there are separate physical buttons for the climate control - in the Leon there's just a row of silly fiddly touch sliders that aren't backlit at night. 

Although the touchscreen has smarter graphics and more features than the old system, it's not as easy to use on the move, which is a pity. Still, at least you get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus wireless phone charging on all but the base trim, meaning you can just connect your phone up and largely bypass the internal system.

High-end versions of the Ateca get a 10.3-inch digital instrument display in place of analogue dials. It's pretty customisable and nice to look at. 

Starting at a touch over £26,000, the Ateca is at the cheaper end of the family SUV spectrum. Yes, the MG HS undercuts it as a budget offering, but if we're talking key rivals than the SEAT is roughly similar in price to the Skoda Karoq and cheaper than the Korean offerings. 

There are some expensive higher-end trim levels such as the Xperience variants, but in all honesty the SE Technology trim (one rung up from the base model) offers all the necessary kit.

While it's a pity there's no fuel-sipping hybrid model to really make the Ateca cheap to run, the VW Group engines that power it are notoriously good on fuel. 

The base 1.0-litre petrol manages 46.2mpg combined in base SE trim, but the more powerful 1.5 is still capable of 45.3mpg when fitted with a manual gearbox - that figure falls to 43.1mpg with the DSG automatic. 

Some higher-end variants can be had with a 190PS 2.0-litre petrol. Auto-only, it's also four-wheel drive only, which dents fuel economy down to a middling 35.2mpg on the WLTP combined cycle. 

The diesels are the economy champions, although weirdly the 150PS version of the 2.0 TDI is officially more efficient than the 115PS version, managing 58.5mpg to the lesser one's 57.6. Again, swap in the DSG transmission and there's a slight penalty, while also add four-wheel drive and the figure falls to 49mpg. 

We'd avoid the 2.0-litre petrol if road tax is a concern because it's quite expensive in the first year. Other variants are among the cheapest cars in their class when it comes to tax and insurance, if you allow for the lack of a hybrid with the former. 

This is where the SEAT Ateca really stands out, and still feels fresh in the face of newer competition. There really isn't a better choice if you're the sort of person who wants to drop the kids off at school and find a twisty route home. 

With sharp and precise steering, loads of grip even on front-wheel drive models and a real feeling of agility, you find yourself forgetting you're in a tall, boxy SUV quite often. There's very little body roll, either. 

Despite this the Ateca is pretty refined (although not class leading) - wind and road noise are kept at bay most of the time. The one trade-off is the ride: it's not bouncy like some SUVs, but the more sporting setup means that potholes are felt quite a bit around town, particularly if you go for a high-spec trim level with big wheels which makes things a bit crashy on bad roads. 

Keep the wheel size modest and the Ateca is firm but controlled, and it becomes really well-damped the faster you go. Nevertheless, if comfort is a priority the more softly sprung Skoda Karoq is a better bet. 

Another area where the Ateca shows its age a bit is the engine range, where you won't find a hybrid in sight. Instead it's a tried-and-tested range of petrols and diesels, where many rivals are ditching diesels altogether. 

If most of your driving is around town, the excellent 110PS 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit does a decent job of getting you about. It doesn't feel too out of its depth on faster roads either, although start loading it up with passengers and luggage and you'll become very familiar with the end of the throttle pedal travel. 

That's where the smoother and more effortless 150PS four-cylinder 1.5 comes in. It's quiet, basically as efficient as the three-cylinder and manages a decent turn of speed. It goes some way to making the 190PS 2.0-litre model, which is DSG and four-wheel drive only, look a bit pointless. 

The diesels are also well-proven, efficient and feel more muscular than the petrols thanks to plenty of low-down shove. The 115PS model is fine, but the 150PS version feels more effortless. Neither are particularly quiet (we're becoming less and less used to diesel grumbling in new cars) but they go about their business without vice. 

The higher-end petrol is the only model that's auto-only, otherwise you get a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The manual is a slick and pleasant shift, though while the DSG is quick-shifting and smooth once up to speed it can be a bit jerky and reluctant when getting off the line. 

The SEAT Ateca was awarded five stars for safety by Euro NCAP, but this was way back in 2016. Standard have shifted since then.

The car's occupant crash safety ratings are very good and would still hold up today, while all models get e-Call emergency response and automatic emergency braking as standard. But features like lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and traffic-sign recognition aren't even optional until you get to the higher trims, which shows the Ateca's age. 

The SEAT Ateca's towing capacity ranges from 1500kg on the 1.0-litre engine to 2100kg on the four-wheel drive diesel. That's a decent figure, but no better than the class average really. 

As of 2022, standard equipment for the SEAT Ateca is as follows:

Ateca SE: The base trim comes with 17-inch alloys, LED headlamps, fog lamps and rear lamps, a door mirror welcome light silhouette, an 8.25-inch touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, wireless phone charging, front seat lumbar adjustment, dual-zone climate control, park assist, cruise control, keyless entry and go and Front Assist including automatic emergency braking. 

Ateca SE Technology: this adds to SE trim with 18in alloys, chrome roof rails and window trim, a 9.2-inch touchscreen with sat-nav and voice control and chrome cabin detailing.

Ateca FR: this adds 18in 'Brilliant Silver' alloy wheels, multi-colour interior ambient lighting, aluminium pedals, privacy flass, a rear spoiler, body colour wheelarch surrounds, rain sensing wipers, a steering response selector and Microsuede sports seats. 

Ateca FR Sport: this builds on FR trim with the digital cockpit instrument display, heated front seats, 19in machined alloy wheels, dynamic turn signals, an auto dimming rear-view mirror and leather upholstery. 

Ateca Xperience: this high-level trim adds a rear-view camera, the Safety and Driving Pack with adaptive cruise control, auto high beam and a Climacoat windscreen. 

Ateca Xperience Lux: The range-topping trim adds an electric tailgate with virtual pedal and a surround view camera.